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This eclectic list speaks to some of the hottest investment themes of the year. So let's get straight into the five and why a couple in particular still look like excellent values.
The five top-performing stocks in the S&P 500 last year
It's no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) is a major theme, represented by Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), a company that develops software systems for AI and big data analytics, and AI architecture company Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).
Law enforcement technology company Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ: AXON) made the list through its impressive growth, the launch of new Tasers and body cameras, and adoption by law enforcement agencies.
| Company | Return in 2024 | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Palantir Technologies | 340.5% | $157.7 billion |
| Vistra | 257.9% | $59.2 billion |
| Nvidia | 171.2% | $3.27 trillion |
| United Airlines | 135.3% | $34.9 billion |
| Axon Enterprise | 130.1% | $45.3 billion |
Data source: Finviz.com
The two most interesting stocks among top-performing S&P 500 shares
Vistra (NYSE: VST) also benefited from the boom in AI applications, as data center companies signed deals to procure nuclear energy. They did so because nuclear power is carbon-free (helping data centers and cloud companies meet their emissions goals) and reliable.
That's music to the ears of Vistra, which cheered the market by acquiring more nuclear power capacity in 2024. Investors eagerly await updates on whether it will sign a deal with a cloud services company, although news of a fire at its California battery plant briefly sent shares sharply lower on Jan. 17.
Last on this list of the top five performers in 2024 is an old-economy stock, United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL). The airline industry dispelled fears of a slowdown in 2024 and appears to be behaving in a more disciplined manner concerning cutting capacity when necessary. Moreover, with corporate and trans-Atlantic travelers returning strongly entering 2025 (two areas of particular strength for United Airlines), the stock has every opportunity to outperform in 2025.
Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity
Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.
On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:
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Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $357,084!*
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Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,554!*
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Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $462,766!*